South Sudan Special Court: Riek Machar Defence Team Threats Prompt Adjournment

• The Special Court in South Sudan adjourned the trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused due to serious security threats against the defence team.
• Allegations include a plot to cause a road accident and the potential use of a poisonous substance on courtroom seats.
• Machar's defence lawyers formally submitted a written application detailing the concerns, leading to the adjournment until September 23, 2026, as the trial remains ongoing, for investigation.
• The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has provided security escorts for the defence lawyers and offered ongoing protection.
• Machar and his co-defendants face charges including treason, murder, and crimes against humanity related to violence in Nasir in March 2025, which they deny.

The court, during its 115th session, halted the hearing on Friday to allow for a thorough investigation into the reported threats.

Proceedings in the trial of suspended First Vice President Riek Machar and seven co-accused have been adjourned by the Special Court following serious security allegations concerning his defence team. The court, during its 115th session, halted the hearing on Friday to allow for a thorough investigation into the reported threats. This decision came after Machar’s defence lawyers formally submitted a written application detailing their concerns.

Presiding Judge James Alala Deng accepted the written submission but instructed the defence not to read the application aloud in open court. The Special Court then announced that the trial, which is still ongoing, would resume on September 23, 2026, providing time for authorities to investigate the allegations. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the fact that the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) provided a security convoy to escort the defence lawyers to court on Friday and ensured their safe return to their respective locations after the session.

Multiple sources familiar with the ongoing legal proceedings have revealed specific details of the alleged threats against the Riek Machar defence team in South Sudan. These include a purported plan to orchestrate a road accident targeting members of the legal team. Additionally, there is an allegation that a poisonous substance could be sprayed on the seats designated for the accused and their lawyers within the courtroom itself.

While these Machar trial security allegations could not be independently verified, they were taken seriously enough to prompt the court's adjournment. The defence lawyers, acting on these concerns, reportedly did not occupy their usual seating positions during Friday's proceedings. Furthermore, Machar and his co-accused were reportedly informed of the security concerns during the previous week's hearing. Reports circulating on social media about a potential bomb attack were dismissed by sources, who clarified that the concerns revolved around the alleged use of a poisonous or chemical substance.

The Criminal Investigation Department has actively engaged with the defence team in response to the escalating security fears. According to sources, the CID recently met with members of the legal team and offered to provide security escorts and protection. This intervention highlights the official recognition of the serious nature of the threats facing the Machar defence team in South Sudan.

The court's decision to adjourn until September 23 is specifically intended to facilitate a comprehensive investigation into the allegations contained within the defence's application. A senior source indicated that the plot to cause a car accident has been thwarted due to the CID's provision of security convoys for the lawyers. The investigation will now focus on substantiating these claims and ensuring the safety of all parties involved in this high-stakes Machar treason trial security situation.

Riek Machar and his seven co-defendants are currently on trial facing a litany of severe charges, including treason, murder, conspiracy, terrorism, destruction of public property, and crimes against humanity. These accusations stem from an incident of violence that occurred in Nasir, Upper Nile State, in March 2025. During this event, government forces reportedly sustained significant casualties.

Prosecutors allege that forces affiliated with Machar’s Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO), in conjunction with the White Army militia, were responsible for the deaths of 257 South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) soldiers, including military commander General David Majur Dak, during an assault on a military garrison in Nasir. The prosecution further claims that military equipment valued at approximately $58 million was either destroyed or seized during the fighting. Machar and the other defendants have consistently denied all charges brought against them.

Lawyers and compliance officers involved in high-profile or politically sensitive cases in South Sudan should note the court's willingness to adjourn proceedings to investigate serious security threats against defence teams. This highlights the critical need for robust security protocols and vigilance for legal professionals operating in such environments, as well as the potential for procedural delays due to these concerns.

Source: Original reporting via Radio Tamazuj